The Supreme Court of Nigeria rejected a request by General Sani Abacha's family to stop Federal Government moves to reopen criminal forfeiture cases against the former Head of State.

A new move to reopen fraud probe targets some relatives over their alleged complicity in looting the nation's Treasury during Abacha’s administration.

The Supreme Court on Friday, January 13, upheld the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had previously endorsed the power of the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, the presiding judge dismissed the suit because it lacked merit and substance.

The appeal marked SC/641/2013 was filed by Mohammed, the oldest surviving son of Abacha, and his brother Abba (for themselves as well as for the family of Gen. Abacha).

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the National Security Adviser (NSS) and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein) are listed as the respondents.